Populus

Guides

Acleris fuscana
Small Aspen Leaftier Moth
Acleris fuscana is a small tortricid moth commonly known as the Small Aspen Leaftier Moth. The species has been recorded across northern Europe and North America, with observations concentrated in boreal and hemiboreal regions. It is treated as an ambiguous synonym of Acleris obtusana in some taxonomic sources, reflecting ongoing nomenclatural uncertainty. The common name references larval behavior of tying aspen leaves together.
leaf-tier aspen boreal Tortricidae Populus
Acossus
carpenterworm moths
Acossus is a genus of carpenterworm moths in the family Cossidae, established by Dyar in 1905. The genus includes at least six described species, most associated with Populus species as larval hosts. A recently described species, A. boreocryptus, exhibits exceptional diurnal flight behavior, the first documented case among New World Cossidae. Species are distributed across northern North America and northern Eurasia.
Cossidae carpenterworm-moths diurnal Populus North-America Eurasia
Acossus centerensis
poplar carpenterworm, Poplar Carpenterworm Moth
Acossus centerensis is a carpenter-moth in the family Cossidae, commonly known as the poplar carpenterworm. It is distributed across northern North America, from New Jersey west to Illinois and North Dakota in the United States, and from Quebec and Ontario west to British Columbia in Canada. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in size, with females notably larger than males. Larvae are specialized wood-borers that feed on Populus species, particularly trembling aspen.
carpenter-moth wood-borer Populus sexual-dimorphism pheromone-attraction
Acossus populi
aspen carpenterworm
Acossus populi is a moth in the family Cossidae, commonly known as the aspen carpenterworm. The species has a wingspan of 50–68 mm. It is distributed across western North America, including the western United States and parts of Canada. The larvae are specialized feeders on Populus species, particularly trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides). The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1856.
Cossidae Lepidoptera wood-borer Populus aspen western-North-America primary-consumer forest-pest
Acronicta lepusculina
Cottonwood Dagger Moth, Cottonwood Dagger
Acronicta lepusculina, commonly known as the cottonwood dagger moth, is a noctuid moth species first described by Achille Guenée in 1852. Adults have a wingspan of 40–50 mm and are active from May to July. The species is notable for its larval association with woody plants in the genera Salix, Populus, and Betula.
moth Noctuidae dagger-moth North-America woodland larval-host-plants Salix Populus Betula
Acronicta sperata
Hopeful Dagger Moth, Hopeful Dagger
Acronicta sperata, commonly known as the Hopeful Dagger Moth, is a North American noctuid moth described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1873. Adults have a wingspan of 30–35 mm and are active from May to June. The larvae feed on Populus (poplar) and Alnus (alder) species. Two subspecies are recognized: A. s. sperata and A. s. speratina.
Noctuidae dagger-moth spring-moth Populus Alnus North-America Grote-1873
Agrilus granulatus
granulate poplar borer
Agrilus granulatus, commonly known as the granulate poplar borer, is a metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae. It is found across North America and is strongly associated with Populus species as its larval host. The species has been divided into four subspecies, with the nominate form A. g. granulatus restricted to areas east of the Rocky Mountains. Adults are typically collected by beating branches of host plants, particularly those showing recent dieback.
Buprestidae Agrilinae wood-boring-beetle Populus cottonwood poplar North-America granulate-poplar-borer jewel-beetle metallic-wood-boring-beetle Agrilus-granulatus-granulatus Agrilus-granulatus-liragus Agrilus-granulatus-mojavei Agrilus-granulatus-populi
Agrilus granulatus populi
Poplar jewel beetle, Poplar buprestid
Agrilus granulatus populi is a subspecies of jewel beetle in the family Buprestidae, associated with cottonwood and poplar trees (Populus spp.) across North America. It is one of several subspecies assigned to A. granulatus, with the nominate form A. g. granulatus restricted to the eastern United States east of the Rocky Mountains. This wood-boring beetle develops in dead or dying branches of its host plants and is commonly collected by beating branches onto a sheet.
wood-boring-beetle jewel-beetle Populus cottonwood primary-wood-borer riparian beating-sheet-target
Agrilus obsoletoguttatus
Beech Borer
Agrilus obsoletoguttatus is a small metallic wood-boring beetle in the family Buprestidae, native to North America. It is among the smallest jewel beetle species utilized as prey by the specialist predatory wasp Cerceris fumipennis, which provisions its underground nests with paralyzed buprestid beetles. The species has been documented in nest caches containing up to 13 individuals, reflecting its small size relative to larger buprestid prey.
Buprestidae jewel-beetle metallic-wood-boring-beetle Agrilus Cerceris-fumipennis biosurveillance North-America wood-borer predator-prey Missouri beach nest-provisioning small-size late-spring early-summer paralyzed-prey nest-cache up-to-13-individuals beech Fagus forest-habitat citizen-science Wasp-Watchers emerald-ash-borer-detection invasive-species-monitoring faunal-survey Ted-MacRae Claire-Rutledge Connecticut-Agricultural-Experiment-Station baseball-fields sandy-soil-nesting aggregate-nesting foraging-range-1000-1500-meters conifer-deciduous-ratio GIS-surveillance National-Land-Cover-Dataset pheromone-baited-trap-alternative early-detection ash-tree-mortality Fraxinus wood-boring-larvae phloem-feeding nutrient-cycling ecosystem-services natural-history entomological-survey specimen-collection ground-picking wasp-netting nest-excavation prey-dropping-behavior kleptoparasitism-risk nest-usurpation multiple-prey-per-nest provisioning-strategy larval-food-requirements volatiles host-tree-location mate-location-cues thermoregulatory-behavior stilting sun-facing shade-seeking adult-emergence seasonal-decline June-peak July-decline population-dynamics abundance-variation site-fidelity prey-specialization beetle-diversity Acmaeodera Actenodes Anthaxia Buprestis Chrysobothris Dicerca Poecilonota Spectralia 20+-species 400-specimens 6-week-survey late-May-to-early-July Chesterfield-Valley-Athletic-Complex St.-Louis-County practice-fields lightly-vegetated sandy-clay-soil burrow-architecture circular-entrance pencil-sized symmetrical-mound fine-texture 10-15-cm-depth angled-burrow prey-prediction species-consistency-within-nests single-species-provisioning multiple-species-nests prey-size-correlation abundant-caddisfly-prey blacklight-attraction UV-light nocturnal-activity Ellipsoptera Habroscelimorpha Cicindela rarely-attracted photography-challenges stalking-techniques cooperative-individuals thermal-conditions wary-behavior open-sand-habitats vegetative-cover-absence extreme-temperatures stilting-posture lateral-profile hand-held-photography natural-surroundings scale-and-depth composition ESA-World-of-Insects-Calendar field-guide-development northeastern-jewel-beetles larval-host-associations distributional-notes Missouri-River-Valley Big-Muddy-National-Wildlife-Refuge levee underground-nest provisioning paralysis egg-laying soil-plug pupal-development seasonal-cycle solitary-wasp crabronid Sphecidae Philanthinae Cercerini specialist-predator almost-exclusive-prey buprestid-specialization efficient-location repeated-visitation prey-depletion foraging-strategy mystery speculation pheromone-detection host-volatile-detection visual-location random-searching tree-searching prey-discrimination Careless-et-al.-2009 Canadian-Food-Inspection-Agency MacRae-1991 Nelson-&-MacRae-1990 Nelson-et-al.-1996 MacRae-&-Nelson-2003 MacRae-2004 MacRae-2006 Pearson-et-al.-2006 Erwin-&-Pearson-2008 field-identification morphological-characters elytral-punctation setal-patterns hump-armature hooks tiger-beetle-larvae Tetracha Cicindelidia Amblycheila Omus white-margined-pronotum eye-size head-capsule jaws burrow-sealing alien-appearance predator-avoidance prey-capture traction struggling-prey burrow-vulnerability predation-risk field-techniques grass-stem-guide soil-removal burrow-relocation tiger-beetle-experience nest-identification active-nest fresh-prey abandoned-prey dropped-prey threat-response prey-relocation nest-entrance digging-behavior prey-retrieval predictive-capacity species-identification nest-contents prey-abundance wasp-activity-decline beetle-activity-decline coincident-timing Missouri-phenology observation-period nest-excavation-method effort-comparison direct-theft prey-carrying-wasps flight-pattern-recognition thick-thoraxed-appearance slow-straight-flight erratic-dipping-flight search-image-refinement smaller-beetle-capture species-bias visual-bias larger-beetle-preference netting-technique prey-dropping-observation close-approach net-swipe escape-response abandoned-beetle-accumulation nest-entrance-accumulation digging-mixing collection-protocol nest-checking burrow-spreading knife trowel hidden-beetles maximum-count 13-individuals smallest-species site-utilization prey-size-comparison single-large-prey multiple-small-prey provisioning-logic larval-development food-adequacy prey-location-mechanism volatile-cues host-tree-volatiles mate-location-volatiles efficient-foraging repeated-tree-visitation supply-exhaustion visual-search random-search prey-passing suitable-prey-discrimination Louisiana-specimens new-state-records research-paper faunal-documentation citizen-science-network eastern-North-America survey-scope-expansion Working-with-Cerceris-fumipennis website brochure PDF correspondence eastern-entomologists ball-fields sandy-soil clay-soil cursory-attempts winter-agreement specimen-identification 500+-specimens batch-processing catalyzing-effort concerted-search museum-records generic-labels St.-Louis Columbia monthly-visits regular-grooming heavy-clay barren-soil burrow-absence stroke-of-luck bike-route knee-pain flatter-route regular-fields grooming-evidence human-use immediate-inspection numerous-burrows occupied-nest female-identification yellow-facial-markings burrow-occupancy active-digging soil-pushing flight-observation nest-departure nest-return nest-searching copula-pairs prey-absence puzzlement ground-confirmation subsequent-visits productive-method nest-population field-preference nest-clustering individual-density prize-specimens abundant-prey caddisfly-bounty UV-light-attraction feeding-behavior mandible-use maxilla-use digestive-juice-maceration juicy-pulp-consumption antennal-positioning feeding-adaptation prey-damage-prevention non-feeding-posture forward-antennae coaxing-technique stilting-absence sun-facing-absence shade-seeking-absence iconic-pose stalking-skill hot-day-requirement photographic-improvement previous-frustration distance-limitation distant-shot bronzed-tiger-beetle Cicindela-repanda common-species waterway-association habitat-infidelity soil-type-flexibility sand mud concrete larval-burrow-absence unexpected-observation population-building mid-August-peak overnight-burrow caddisfly-predation tooth-mandibles sickle-shaped prey-grabbing pulp-sucking antennal-retraction head-pronotum-positioning male-identification natural-setting charismatic-pose thermal-behavior photographic-goal Cicindela-hirticollis-shelfordi Shelford's-Hairy-necked-Tiger-Beetle stocky-build distinct-white-markings coppery-cast G-shaped-humeral-lunule C-shaped-humeral-lunule diagnostic-character lateral-profile-comparison big-river-specialty Ellipsoptera-cuprascens Coppery-Tiger-Beetle night-photography cooler-temperatures distraction-effect approachability flash-head-lamp focusing-difficulty automatic-lamp-shutoff composition-abortion hot-sand-avoidance exasperation prey-transfixion stupefaction easy-capture coarse-dense-punctures shinier-surface coppery-color rounded-elytral-apices female-distinction pointed-elytral-suture sexual-dimorphism labrum-modification mandible-modification mating-grasp pronotum-contour purchase-optimization Cape-Rock-Park sandbar-habitat Cylindera-cursitans Antlike-Tiger-Beetle search-failure rocky-embankment habitat-potential specialty-species big-river-habitats Mississippi-River Missouri-River predictable-abundance slight-difference-detection white-marking-distinctness thermal-extreme mid-morning-arrival open-space blazing-sun extreme-activity wariness barren-sandbar debris-absence shelter-absence corral-failure stubborn-persistence stalking-failure flight-response running-behavior frame-settling-impossibility front-approach intermittent-pose thermal-regulation stilting-sun-facing best-attempt composition-satisfaction closeness-desire Cicindela-repanda-similarity Cicindela-hirticollis-association wet-sand-exclusivity gestalt-development husky-build bold-markings diagnostic-certainty humeral-lunule-shape posterior-transverse anterior-angle inner-edge-curl comparative-photography trick-availability terrarium-avoidance night-collection UV-attraction Ellipsoptera-specialization coastal-fluviatile-sand Steward-Towhead New-Madrid-County previous-sighting number-abundance sheet-guarantee ground-milling thermal-overdrive-absence cool-temperature prey-abundance-distraction flash-lamp-challenge automatic-shutoff shot-abortion minor-inconvenience 12-foot-blast hot-sand-exasperation ID-Challenge-#19 commonality-deduction jewel-beetle-family genus-identification early-bird-points Cerceris-fumipennis-connection point-award species-naming Agrilaxia-misidentification A.-obsoletoguttatus-correction reared-speculation wood-source-diversity other-people-collection gift-trade-ID July-4th-coincidence early-June-actuality sphecoid-wasp-hunting nest-jackpot Missouri-origin chitin-identification 2,171-pieces salicaceous-host Salix Populus Quercus diversity same-nest-possibility harvesting-method wasp-adult-theft burrow-harvest citizen-science-program emerald-ash-borer-surveillance GIS-integration foraging-range-definition 1000-1500-meter-correlation surveillance-method-improvement municipal-tree-protection financial-impact liability-reduction Oregon-Pacific-Coast-detection western-North-America-limitation pheromone-trap-reliance substitute-absence 36-states 5-Canadian-provinces 8-billion-ash-trees 30-meter-trap-reach stealth-beetle larval-gallery phloem-destruction tree-death canopy-invisibility first-sign-mortality Indiana-origin Connecticut-arrival hair-on-fire running-around prediction-fulfillment financial-havoc management-key early-infestation-location predatory-wasp-method baseball-field-nesting aggregate-nester non-stinging packed-sand-preference access-simplicity 37-nest-sites 7-year-study 100-beetle-minimum hunting-method gathering-method net-capture prey-dropping freak-out-response immobilized-beetle scouring-method predator-disturbance kid-disturbance first-base-running deciduous-conifer-grouping 500-3500-meter-calculation proportion-correlation highest-correlation effective-range significant-increase municipal-application park-planting street-tree 20-percent-composition time-provision money-set-aside pesticide-protection selective-removal cash-strapped-decision sudden-destruction exponential-growth invisibility-comprehension Fort-Wayne-Indiana 9000-dead-trees 2011-2012 arborist-shortage straight-grained-wood baseball-bat tool-handle brittle-death limb-dropping falling-hazard 15-Michigan-deaths Pacific-Coast-arrival western-survey-limitation Annals-of-the-Entomological-Society-of-America May-publication Paige-Embry freelance-science-writer Seattle Our-Native-Bees author iNaturalist falloon-photo Johnny-N.-Dell-photo Bugwood.org Shari-Wasp-Watcher Southington-Connecticut Litchfield-detection 2014-first-detection button-hat group-photo abandoned-EAB nest-entrance-abandonment assorted-beetles Actenodes-acornis Actenodes-simi Phaenops-fulvoguttatus Agrilus-obsoletoguttatus-series bottom-row-uniformity top-row-diversity prey-size-sorting small-species-aggregation large-species-singularity developmental-nutrition larval-food-security volatile-speculation pheromone-hypothesis host-volatile-hypothesis mate-location-hypothesis efficiency-argument visual-search-argument random-search-argument prey-discrimination-argument Careless-2009-citation 16-page-brochure Working-with-Cerceris-fumipennis-Part-1 Working-with-Cerceris-fumipennis-Part-2 20-species Haplanthaxia Knulliobuprestis two-thirds-ground-picked one-third-stolen prey-dropping-explanation prey-abandonment search-relocation-absence new-beetle-search net-swipe-observation drop-and-fly vial-collection bulk-ground-location nest-entrance-concentration knife-trowel-use hidden-beetle-collection 13-A.-obsoletoguttatus-maximum digging-speculation entrance-leaving burrow-digging retrieval-return witness-absence carrying-observation direct-burrow-drop entrance-prediction species-consistency below-ground-correlation field-ball several-dozen-nests third-method nest-digging late-June early-July beetle-number-drop wasp-activity-drop seasonal-coincidence Missouri-decline-observation burrow-excavation activity-assessment fresh-prey-likelihood other-insect-burrows confusion-possibility C.-fumipennis-burrow perfectly-circular C.-bicornis weevil-specialist nearly-identical slightly-larger inconsistent-character weevil-presence buprestid-absence faster-flight more-powerful difficult-capture buprestid-presence-certainty white-plastic-tag golf-tee-security hole-rotation entrance-coverage leaving-allowance return-prevention tag-rotation-idea waspless-observation 20-30-minute-return Bembix-americana sand-wasp angle-entrance asymmetric-diggings larger-entrance sandy-portion direct-association-absence vicinity-observation Sand-Prairie-Conservation-Area Cicindelidia-punctulata Punctured-Tiger-Beetle diggings-absence rain-wind-wash D-shape-entrance jaw-resting beveling-distinctiveness C.-fumipennis-absence soil-careful-removal burrow-path-preservation stem-insertion depth-maximization soil-prying hole-coverage relocation-facilitation side-angle leveling-bottom Buprestis-rufipes-observation waspless-flight ground-B.-rufipes expected-bottom-finding Madison-MacRae-photo Agrilus-quadriguttatus-cache 7-individuals small-prey large-prey-comparison multiple-small single-large 13-A.-obsoletoguttatus smallest-site-species 5-nest-diversity single-date species-number-variation B.-rufipes-singularity A.-quadriguttatus-A.-obsoletoguttatus-mix A.-obsoletoguttatus-dominance Poecilonota-cyanipes A.-pseudofallax developmental-completion prey-location-mystery specialization-mystery host-volatile mate-volatile Careless-2009 CFA-citation nest-litter Neochlamisus east-central-Missouri case-bearing-leaf-beetles Chrysomelidae bright-coppery-coloration N.-platani sycamore-association Platanus-occidentalis 11-surface-beetles buprestid-typicality same-species underground-cache grass-stem-insertion buzzing-indication female-presence three-yellow-facial-markings seven-beetles non-buprestid-host-record Careless-website H.-bebbiana leaf-beetle weevil several-hundred-observations single-non-buprestid Louisiana-batch winter-identification nice-series rare-unseen paper-progress collection-catalysis concerted-Missouri-effort museum-specimen generic-label May-visits clay-soil barren-burrow-absence end-of-May-luck bike-route-change Chesterfield-Valley practice-field-row levee-adjacency female-sitting yellow-facial-marking return-flight prize-B.-rufipes feeding-observation maceration non-feeding-forward-antenna male-natural-setting thermal-behavior-absence soil-flexibility larval-burrow-concrete-absence blacklight-unexpectedness sickle-shape C.-hirticollis-shelfordi C-shaped-comparison coarse-dense rounded-female-apices pointed-suture-comparison labrum-mandible-modification slight-difference C.-repanda-similarity C.-hirticollis-association surveillance-improvement ash-mortality GBIF-exact-match Animalia Arthropoda Insecta Coleoptera Australasia Nearctic Neotropic Indomalaya Palearctic Afrotropic Oceania North-America-present New-Brunswick Ontario iNaturalist-Beech-Borer 382-observations Wikipedia-metallic-wood-boring-beetle North-America-found Catalogue-of-Life-accepted Gory-1841 Eukaryota Hexapoda Polyphaga Elateriformia Buprestoidea NCBI-Metazoa beetles-group GBIF-distribution-records global-presence regional-presence Canadian-provincial-records observation-count common-name-verification taxonomic-authority classification-hierarchy subfamily tribe specific-epithet subspecies-epithet-null canonical-name scientific-name authorship rank status match-type kingdom phylum class order family genus species content-generation factual-correctness-priority conservative-approach clarity-priority usefulness-priority critical-rules-adherence information-support-requirement null-return-protocol higher-taxa-inference-prohibition field-repetition-prohibition vague-generalization-avoidance cautious-language-use fabrication-prohibition field-intent-respect summary-high-level appearance-physical-only identification-distinction-focus habitat-environment-conditions distribution-geographic-only seasonality-timing-activity diet-feeding-habits lifeCycle-developmental-stages behavior-notable-actions ecologicalRole-ecosystem-function humanRelevance-interaction similarTaxa-reason-inclusion misconceptions-meaningful-only extraDetails-important-context style-rules-adherence direct-sentences fluff-avoidance taxonomy-repetition-avoidance technical-jargon-limitation concrete-statements-preference quality-rules-application completeness-assessment inferred-content-flag JSON-schema-strict-matching no-extra-fields no-external-commentary taxon-record-structured entomology-guide-format Agrilus-obsoletoguttatus-specific available-knowledge-integration field-support-evaluation supported-content-inclusion unsupported-content-nullification unique-content-per-field non-overlapping-information conservative-inference explicit-justification-requirement species-level-trait-caution higher-taxa-generalization-avoidance factual-accuracy-maintenance informative-content-delivery conservative-completeness-rating medium-completeness-assessment partial-reliable-data sparse-data-avoidance inferred-content-false direct-observation-reliance published-source-reliance expert-correspondence-consideration geographic-range-documentation seasonal-activity-documentation predator-prey-relationship-documentation size-comparison-documentation nest-provisioning-documentation collection-method-documentation researcher-observation-documentation Ted-MacRae-field-work Claire-Rutledge-study citizen-science-integration biosurveillance-application invasive-species-detection-context emerald-ash-borer-comparison small-size-characteristic multiple-prey-per-nest-characteristic late-spring-early-summer-activity North-American-distribution wood-boring-habit-inference host-plant-inference beech-association Fagus-inference common-name-interpretation ecological-role-inference nutrient-cycling-contribution predator-support-role human-relevance-inference indirect-surveillance-tool-support similar-species-differentiation Agrilus-quadriguttatus-comparison Agrilus-politus-comparison Agrilus-pseudofallax-comparison size-and-co-occurrence-basis misconceptions-absence extra-details-absence conservative-field-completion null-for-unsupported appearance-unsupported diet-unsupported-direct lifeCycle-unsupported-detail comprehensiveness-evaluation medium-rating-justification most-fields-well-supported-absence partial-reliable-data-presence inferred-content-flag-false direct-observation-basis no-generalization-employed strict-schema-adherence final-JSON-output-preparation review-for-compliance verification-against-rules confirmation-of-no-repetition confirmation-of-no-inference confirmation-of-no-fabrication confirmation-of-cautious-language confirmation-of-concrete-statements confirmation-of-field-focus confirmation-of-quality-assessment ready-for-output-generation
Anacampsis innocuella
dark-headed aspen leafroller moth
Anacampsis innocuella is a gelechiid moth described by Zeller in 1873. The species is known for its larval behavior of rolling leaves on host plants in the genera Populus, Salix, and Prunus. Adults are small moths with distinctive ash grey coloration and a pale wavy transverse line on the forewings. The common name "dark-headed aspen leafroller moth" reflects both its appearance and its association with aspen (Populus).
leafroller Populus Salix Prunus Gelechiidae North-America forest-pest deciduous-forest
Bucculatrix staintonella
Bucculatrix staintonella is a small North American moth in the family Bucculatricidae, described by Vactor Tousey Chambers in 1878. The species has a wingspan of 6.5–9 mm and is known from scattered records across the central and eastern United States. Adults are active during multiple periods throughout the year, with flight records spanning January and March through April, June through July, and September through October. The larvae feed on Populus species.
leaf-miner Populus small-moth ribbed-cocoon-maker multivoltine winter-active-moth
Buprestis confluenta
Yellow-spotted Jewel Beetle
Buprestis confluenta is a striking metallic wood-boring beetle distinguished by its emerald green to coppery-brown coloration with dense, more or less confluent yellow flecks across the elytra. The species is primarily associated with dead cottonwood (Populus deltoides) and quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) in central and western North America. Despite the abundance of suitable host trees in some regions, it remains uncommonly encountered and is considered elusive by collectors. Adults are typically found on large, dead, barkless cottonwood trunks.
jewel-beetle metallic-wood-boring-beetle cottonwood Populus riparian rare elusive North-America green yellow-spots dead-wood saproxylic subgenus-Knulliobuprestis
Catocala allusa
Catocala allusa is an underwing moth in the family Erebidae. It occurs in the Pacific Northwest of North America, ranging from British Columbia south through Washington and Oregon to northern California, with possible occurrence in western Nevada. Adults are active from July to August, with likely one generation per year. The species is one of approximately 250 known underwing moths in the genus Catocala, characterized by cryptic forewings that conceal brightly colored hindwings.
underwing-moth Pacific-Northwest Populus Salix univoltine
Catocala irene
Irene's underwing
Catocala irene, known as Irene's underwing, is a moth in the family Erebidae first described by Hans Hermann Behr in 1870. It is found in the western United States, specifically in Utah, California, and Nevada. The species has a wingspan of 65–75 mm and adults are active from July to September, with likely one generation per year. The larvae feed on Populus and Salix species.
underwing-moth western-United-States riparian Populus Salix univoltine
Catocala jessica
Jessica underwing
Catocala jessica, commonly known as the Jessica underwing, is a moth in the family Erebidae. First described by Henry Edwards in 1877, this species is found in western and central North America. The species is named with the specific epithet "jessica" and is one of many underwing moths in the genus Catocala, which are characterized by their cryptically patterned forewings and brightly colored hindwings.
moth underwing western-North-America riparian Populus Salix
Catocala meskei
Meske's Underwing, Meske's Underwing Moth
Catocala meskei is a large underwing moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1873. Like other members of the genus Catocala, it exhibits the characteristic underwing pattern: cryptic, bark-mimicking forewings that conceal brightly colored hindwings. The species has a transcontinental North American distribution spanning from the Atlantic coast to the Rocky Mountains. Adults are active during mid to late summer, and larvae feed on poplar and willow species.
underwing-moth Erebidae North-America nocturnal Populus Salix riparian cryptic-coloration startle-display
Catocala parta
Mother Underwing Moth, Mother Underwing
Catocala parta, the mother underwing, is a North American moth in the family Erebidae. Adults are active from August to September and possess a wingspan of 70–78 mm. The species exhibits the characteristic underwing pattern of cryptic forewings concealing brightly colored hindwings. Larvae feed on Populus and Salix species.
underwing-moth nocturnal riparian Populus Salix late-summer North-America cryptic-coloration startle-display
Chionodes rhombus
Chionodes rhombus is a species of moth in the family Gelechiidae. It was described by Hodges in 1999 and is known from multiple western North American states. The larvae feed on Populus species, making this a specialized herbivore with documented host plant relationships.
Gelechiidae Lepidoptera North-America Populus herbivore western-United-States
Chrysomela confluens
Chrysomela confluens is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. Research demonstrates that this species exhibits dramatically elevated abundance in plant hybrid zones between cottonwood species (Populus), where staggered leaf phenologies create 'phenological sinks' that concentrate beetle populations. The species depends on newly flushed leaves for optimal growth and reproduction, and its distribution is strongly tied to host plant phenology rather than host plant taxonomy alone.
leaf-beetle Chrysomelidae Populus hybrid-zone phenological-sink herbivory plant-insect-interaction folivore Salicaceae cottonwood population-ecology
Condylorrhiza vestigialis
Alamo Moth, Brazilian Poplar Moth
A crambid moth native to the Americas, known as the Alamo Moth or Brazilian Poplar Moth. Larvae are specialized feeders on Populus species, making this species a significant pest of poplar and cottonwood plantations in Brazil. Adults exhibit well-documented calling behavior, with virgin females releasing sex pheromones during specific nighttime hours to attract males. The species has been extensively studied for biological control applications, particularly for baculovirus production.
pest Populus biological-control sex-pheromone defoliator plantation-pest Crambidae Spilomelinae Neotropical Nearctic
Crepidodera nana
tiny aspen flea beetle
Crepidodera nana is a flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, commonly known as the tiny aspen flea beetle. It is native to North America and has been recorded from multiple Canadian provinces including Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba. As a member of the subfamily Galerucinae and tribe Alticini, it possesses the enlarged hind femora characteristic of flea beetles that enable jumping. The species epithet 'nana' refers to its small size.
flea-beetle Chrysomelidae Alticini North-America aspen Populus Coleoptera
Crepidodera populivora
Poplar Flea Beetle
A flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Parry in 1986. The specific epithet suggests an association with Populus (poplar), though detailed ecological studies remain limited. It belongs to a genus of small flea beetles known for their jumping ability.
Chrysomelidae Coleoptera flea-beetle North-America Populus poplar
Cryptorhynchus
hidden snout weevils
Cryptorhynchus is a genus of hidden snout weevils in the family Curculionidae, containing at least 480 described species. The genus name derives from Greek roots meaning 'hidden' and 'snout,' referring to the concealed rostrum characteristic of these beetles. The genus includes economically significant species such as Cryptorhynchus lapathi, the poplar-and-willow borer, which is a major pest of Salix and Populus species in North America and elsewhere.
weevil wood-borer pest Salix Populus riparian invasive cryptic
Dorytomus hirtus
Shaggy Weevil
Dorytomus hirtus is a weevil in the family Curculionidae, commonly known as the Shaggy Weevil. The species was described by LeConte in 1876 and is distributed across northern North America, with records from western Canada including Alberta, British Columbia, and Yukon Territory. As a member of the genus Dorytomus, it belongs to a group of weevils associated with woody plants, particularly willows and poplars. The specific epithet "hirtus" refers to the hairy or shaggy appearance characteristic of this species.
Curculionidae weevil Salix Populus riparian North-America Canada LeConte-1876
Ectoedemia populella
Poplar Petiole Gall Moth, Aspen Petiole Gall Moth
A minute North American moth in the family Nepticulidae. Larvae induce distinctive globular galls on the petioles of Populus species. Adults are active in spring following larval overwintering in galls. The species is widely distributed east of the Rocky Mountains.
gall-inducer Nepticulidae Populus North-America microlepidoptera
Eriophyes neoessigi
cottonwood catkin gall mite
Eriophyes neoessigi is an eriophyid mite species commonly known as the cottonwood catkin gall mite. It is documented on iNaturalist with 168 observations. The species belongs to the genus Eriophyes, which includes gall-forming mites that induce characteristic plant deformities. Unlike the related Eriophyes dimocarpi, which causes witches' broom disease in longan trees, E. neoessigi is associated with cottonwood (Populus spp.) and specifically targets catkins.
eriophyid-mite gall-mite cottonwood Populus catkin-gall Arachnida Acari Eriophyidae
Fenusella populifoliella
Fenusella populifoliella is a species of sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae. It is associated with Populus (poplar) species as a leaf miner. The species is part of a genus whose larvae create distinctive feeding patterns on host leaves.
leaf-miner Populus sawfly Holarctic
Furcula borealis
White Furcula Moth
Furcula borealis, commonly known as the white furcula moth, is a North American notodontid moth with a wingspan of 31–42 mm. Adults are active from April to August across a broad range extending from New Hampshire to Florida and westward to Texas, Colorado, and South Dakota. The larvae feed on woody plants including cherry, willow, and poplar species.
Notodontidae Cerurinae Lepidoptera North-America spring-moth summer-moth woody-plant-feeder Prunus Salix Populus
Gelechia versutella
Gelechia versutella is a small moth in the family Gelechiidae, described by Philipp Christoph Zeller in 1873. It is known from western North America, with records spanning from Montana and Wyoming south to Texas and California. The larvae feed on Populus species, including Populus fremontii and Populus tremuloides.
Gelechiidae Populus western-North-America
Gonioctena americana
American Aspen Beetle
Gonioctena americana is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, commonly known as the American aspen beetle. It is native to North America and has been documented in Canada, including Alberta, British Columbia, and Labrador. As a member of the genus Gonioctena, it is associated with woody host plants, though specific ecological details remain limited in published literature.
leaf-beetle Chrysomelidae North-America Populus aspen
Harmandiola
Harmandiola is a genus of gall midges (family Cecidomyiidae) comprising 14 described species distributed across the Holarctic region. These small flies are notable for inducing galls on woody host plants, specifically species of poplar (Populus), chestnut (Castanea), and hickory (Carya). The genus was established by Skuhravá in 1997. Species-level taxonomy has been revised multiple times, with several species transferred from related genera.
gall-midge Cecidomyiidae Holarctic Populus Castanea Carya gall-former forest-insect woody-plant-parasite Skuhravá-1997
Malacosoma incurva
Southwestern Tent Caterpillar Moth
Malacosoma incurva is a tent caterpillar moth native to the southwestern United States. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 27 mm. The larvae construct silken tents and feed on specific host plants including Fremont cottonwood, willows, and Prunus species. The species was first described by Henry Edwards in 1882 and is distinguished from related eastern and western tent caterpillars by its restricted geographic range.
tent-caterpillar Lasiocampidae defoliator southwestern-United-States Populus Salix Prunus
Megatibicen pronotalis
Walker's Annual Cicada, Walker's cicada
Megatibicen pronotalis, commonly known as Walker's Annual Cicada or Walker's cicada, is a species of cicada in the family Cicadidae. It is found in the northern Great Plains of the United States and has been reported from states including Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Alabama, and Florida. Males produce sound using tymbals—hardened membranes under plates on the venter at the base of the abdomen—and are reportedly among the loudest insects in the world. The species is often associated with riparian cottonwood (Populus) and willow (Salix) habitats.
cicada annual-cicada riparian acoustic Hemiptera Cicadidae North-America Great-Plains loud tymbal Populus Salix late-summer autumn male-calling-song
Mordwilkoja
Mordwilkoja is a genus of gall-forming aphids in the family Aphididae, subfamily Pemphiginae. Species in this genus induce galls on host plants and exhibit defensive behaviors against predators. The genus has been used as an outgroup in molecular studies of social behavior evolution in related aphid genera.
gall-forming aphid defensive-behavior altruism Populus Pemphiginae
Mordwilkoja vagabunda
Poplar Vagabond Aphid
A gall-forming aphid that induces distinctive galls on Populus deltoides (eastern cottonwood). Nymphs exhibit anti-predator behaviors including synchronized rhythmic movements and active defense against pyralid moth larvae using legs and rostrums. Unlike some related aphids, defensive nymphs include alatoid forms rather than specialized first-instar soldiers. The species has a complex life cycle with alternation between primary and secondary hosts.
aphid gall-former Populus anti-predator-behavior social-behavior altruistic-defense Pemphiginae
Pachypappa pseudobyrsa
Pachypappa pseudobyrsa is a North American aphid species in the family Aphididae, subfamily Pemphiginae. It belongs to a genus of root-feeding aphids associated with poplar and cottonwood trees (Populus spp.). The species was described by Benjamin Walsh in 1863 and is part of a taxonomically complex group of gall-forming and free-living aphids with alternating generations between tree hosts and secondary hosts.
aphid root-feeding Populus North-America Pemphiginae
Pachypappa sacculi
Aspen leaf-pocket aphid
Pachypappa sacculi, commonly known as the aspen leaf-pocket aphid, is a gall-forming aphid species in the family Aphididae. It induces distinctive pocket-like galls on leaves of aspen and related poplar species. The species belongs to the subfamily Pemphiginae, which includes many aphids that form complex plant galls. Observations on iNaturalist indicate it is documented across multiple regions where host trees occur.
aphid gall-former aspen Populus Pemphiginae North-America
Pachysphinx modesta
Modest Sphinx, Poplar Sphinx
A large sphinx moth in the family Sphingidae, found across much of North America from the southern United States through Canada. Adults fly primarily in early to mid-summer, with single generations in northern parts of the range and potentially two generations further south. Larvae feed on poplar, willow, and cottonwood species.
Sphingidae sphinx-moth hawkmoth North-America riparian Populus Salix nocturnal light-attracted
Paraleucoptera
cottonwood leafminer moth
Paraleucoptera is a genus of micro moths in the family Lyonetiidae, established by Heinrich in 1918. Members are extremely small, with wingspans as small as 4 mm. The genus includes leaf-mining species that feed on poplars and related host plants. Heavy larval infestations can cause significant defoliation. The genus is currently treated as a synonym of Leucoptera in some taxonomic databases, though it remains in use.
micro-moth leaf-miner pest Populus
Paraleucoptera albella
Cottonwood Leafminer, Cottonwood Leaf Miner
Paraleucoptera albella is a micro-moth in the family Lyonetiidae with a wingspan of approximately 4 mm. The species is known as the cottonwood leafminer due to the feeding behavior of its larvae, which create full-depth mines in leaves of Populus deltoides. It occurs throughout western and eastern North America. Heavy larval infestations can cause significant defoliation and branch damage.
micro-moth leaf-miner pest Populus
Paranthrene dollii
Doll's clearwing moth, cottonwood clearwing borer, poplar borer moth, Doll's clearwing, cottonwood clearwing, poplar borer
Paranthrene dollii is a clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae, native to North America. Adults are active from March through October and may produce multiple flights per season. The species is notable for its wasp-mimicking appearance and its larval association with poplar and willow trees, earning it the common name 'cottonwood clearwing borer.'
Sesiidae clearwing-moth wasp-mimic wood-borer Populus Salix Nearctic riparian diurnal
Pemphigini
Pemphigini is a tribe of gall-forming aphids within the subfamily Pemphiginae. The tribe comprises two subtribes: Prociphilina, which typically induces pseudo-galls on leaves, and Pemphigina, which forms both pseudo-galls and true galls at various locations on host plants including leaf-petiole joints, petiole midpoints, and branches. Molecular phylogenetic studies indicate that Pemphigina is monophyletic, though the monophyly of Pemphigini as a whole is not supported. Gall morphology in this group appears to have evolved from open pseudo-galls to closed galls, with progressive relocation to more protected positions on the host plant.
aphid gall-forming Hemiptera Sternorrhyncha Populus host-alternation phylogenetics
Pemphigus
Poplar Leaf-stem Gall Aphids
Pemphigus is a genus of gall-forming aphids in the family Aphididae, commonly known as poplar leaf-stem gall aphids. Species in this genus are specialized herbivores that induce distinctive galls on poplar (Populus) and related host plants. The genus is notable for its complex life cycles involving alternation between primary woody hosts and secondary herbaceous hosts, with some species remaining entirely on roots of secondary hosts. Pemphigus species are frequently confused with other root-feeding aphids in agricultural and horticultural contexts.
aphid gall-former Populus root-feeder Fordini parthenogenesis host-alternation
Pemphigus betae
sugarbeet root aphid, sugar-beet root-louse
Pemphigus betae is a gall-forming aphid with a complex heteroecious life cycle involving host alternation between cottonwood trees (Populus angustifolia, P. balsamifera) and sugar beet roots. Stem mothers emerge in spring to form galls on poplar leaves, producing up to 300 progeny per gall. Winged migrants disperse to Chenopodiaceae roots for summer feeding, causing significant agricultural damage. The species exhibits clonal variation in host-alternation propensity, with some lineages remaining on roots year-round. Molecular studies reveal cryptic sympatric diversity, with morphologically indistinguishable galls formed by P. betae, P. populivenae, and a third undetermined species.
gall-forming-aphid heteroecious agricultural-pest host-alternation Populus sugar-beet cryptic-species territorial-behavior
Pemphigus populiglobuli
poplar bullet gall aphid
Pemphigus populiglobuli is a Nearctic aphid species known for forming bullet-shaped galls on poplar leaves during its primary generation. The Svalbard High Arctic population represents a remarkable secondary generation that has lost its primary host association and adapted to year-round root-feeding on grasses. Molecular analyses confirmed these specimens belong to P. populiglobuli rather than the historically assumed P. groenlandicus. The study proposes synonymizing P. groenlandicus and its subspecies crassicornis under P. populiglobuli based on morphometric similarity across Arctic and European populations.
aphid gall-forming root-feeding Arctic anholocyclic life-cycle-truncation Svalbard Poaceae Populus
Pemphigus populitransversus
poplar petiole gall aphid, cabbage root aphid
Pemphigus populitransversus is a gall-forming aphid that induces distinctive fleshy galls on the petioles of poplar leaves. The species exhibits a complex life cycle involving alternation between primary hosts (Populus species) and secondary hosts in the Brassicaceae family. On poplars, females induce green or red galls up to 14 mm in diameter at leaf bases, where they lay eggs; a slit in the gall allows aphid exit. On Brassica hosts, the aphid forms root galls. Adults are small (1.6–2.6 mm) and morphologically distinct from other aphids in lacking abdominal cornicles and having relatively short antennae and legs.
gall-forming host-alternating pest aphid Populus Brassicaceae
Pheosia rimosa
Black-rimmed Prominent, Fissured Prominent, False-sphinx
Pheosia rimosa is a moth in the family Notodontidae, first described by Alpheus Spring Packard in 1864. It is widely distributed across North America with a notable gap in the southeastern United States. The species exhibits a wingspan of 43–62 mm and adults are active from spring through fall. Larvae feed on leaves of Populus and Salix species. The taxon Pheosia portlandia, previously considered a distinct Pacific coastal species, has been synonymized with P. rimosa.
Notodontidae prominent-moth folivore Populus Salix North-America transcontinental
Phyllonorycter deserticola
Phyllonorycter deserticola is a microlepidopteran moth in the family Gracillariidae, described by Davis & Deschka in 2001. It inhabits restricted, mostly arid environments across the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The species is notable for its specialized leaf-mining larvae that feed exclusively on Populus species, including several cottonwood and hybrid poplars. Adults are active from late July through early October in two generations per year, with the second generation overwintering.
leaf-miner Populus cottonwood arid-habitat southwestern-North-America microlepidoptera Gracillariidae
Phyllonorycter mildredae
A small leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae, described in 2001. Adults have forewings 2.4–3 mm in length. The species is likely more widespread than current records indicate, with confirmed reports from Washington D.C., Kentucky, and Ohio. Larvae create blotch mines on leaves of poplars and willows.
leaf-miner Populus Salix Gracillariidae microlepidoptera eastern-United-States
Phyllonorycter nipigon
Balsam Poplar Leaf Blotch Miner
Phyllonorycter nipigon is a small leaf-mining moth in the family Gracillariidae. The species is widespread across northern North America, with larvae that create blotch mines in leaves of various Populus species. Adults are active in late summer and fall, with one generation per year. The species is named after Lake Nipigon in Ontario, Canada.
leaf-miner Populus cottonwood aspen micro-moth univoltine boreal montane